Former Shuswap MLA and one-time challenger for the premier香蕉视频直播檚 job, George Abbott says the current political climate will be a difficult, stressful time in B.C.

Abbott, a former political science professor, who is working on his doctorate and operates a public policy consulting firm, predicts another provincial election call within one to two years.

香蕉视频直播淏ased on my 17 years in the legislature, with the numbers being that close, it is going to be extraordinarily stressful香蕉视频直播� While I香蕉视频直播檓 just guessing like everyone else, my thoughts are that there is probably sufficient party discipline to allow the NDP government to survive in the short-term 香蕉视频直播� six to 12 months.香蕉视频直播�

Abbott notes the precariousness of the situation.

香蕉视频直播淎ny time you have a group of 87 people, there香蕉视频直播檚 going to be illness or sudden adversities, or the discovery that living in this environment is not for them, with this kind of margin that could be the tipping point, so I don香蕉视频直播檛 foresee an extended tenure.香蕉视频直播�

Speaking from a political science perspective, Abbott says it was unlikely the Lieutenant Governor would have chosen to call an election, despite the request from Christy Clark to do just that.

香蕉视频直播淏ased on what I know, and I am by no means an expert, but I have done a lot of reading in my capacity as a political scientist, it seemed obvious to me and many others that the Lieutenant Governor would provide Mr. Horgan the opportunity to put together an administration and attempt to win the confidence of the legislature,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚 think there would have been huge howls of outrage had the opportunity to form government been denied.香蕉视频直播�

Clark香蕉视频直播檚 throne speech, which borrowed heavily from the NDP and Green platforms, may have muddied the waters for the electorate.

香蕉视频直播淚t is not providing as much contrast for the Liberals in comparison to the other parties as has been the case in the past,香蕉视频直播� noted Abbott.

香蕉视频直播淒uring my leadership run, I felt strongly that what was needed was a poverty plan 香蕉视频直播� and not because someone else was suggesting it, but because it is the right thing to do. It is my hope that the incoming NDP can, in some focused way, try to develop that.香蕉视频直播�

Abbott also suggests that while eliminating tolls might be a popular move, it may not be fiscally responsible, especially with increasing demands on health care and education budgets.

香蕉视频直播淏.C. may be enjoying a surplus situation at the moment, but based on my experiences, surpluses do not continually replicate. There will be fiscal challenges in the future.香蕉视频直播�

Abbott wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 comment, however, on whether he thinks Clark should resign. For the moment, Clark has stated she will remain as leader of the opposition.

香蕉视频直播淎s the period of the NDP in office gets longer, there will be growing debate about that issue in the Liberal Party. It really will be up to her to decide what香蕉视频直播檚 best for the Liberal Party and B.C.香蕉视频直播�

Abbott says that, for now, the parties are all saying the right things.

香蕉视频直播淢y one hope is they live up to the rhetoric that they will try to work together for the benefit of the province. But I香蕉视频直播檒l believe that when I see it,香蕉视频直播� Abbott said.

While Abbott was a BC Liberal MLA in both opposition and in government as a high-profile cabinet minister for 17 years, he ultimately resigned from the Liberal Party shortly after an unsuccessful leadership run against Clark and Kevin Falcon.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 happily non-partisan these days,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 not interested in returning to politics. Now that I香蕉视频直播檝e beat the addiction to political life, I香蕉视频直播檓 not about to revive it.香蕉视频直播�